Why Babies Love Mirrors

What are the benefits of looking in the looking glass? Here's how mirror play helps bolster your baby's development.

What's a newborn's favorite thing to look at? A toy? Nope. A geometric shape? Not really. Your baby's preferred view: a human face. She's not picky about whose face it is, though, so grab a mirror, and offer your baby a chance to gaze at her own! Here's how you can get in on the reflection fun, and help bolster your baby's development.

Prop a mirror against the wall and sit opposite it on the floor (not too far away, since a baby's eyesight is still a work in progress). Now plop your baby in your lap, leaning her back against your tummy. (This also makes for a great sibling activity: Big brothers or sisters can hold a hand mirror in front of the baby while you provide the lap.)

Introduce your baby to her beautiful face by pointing at her reflection. Touch her nose, stroke her hair, gently pinch her ears, and name each feature as you go. Sure, your newborn doesn't know what the words mean now, but she'll be delighted just the same!

Fasten an unbreakable mirror to the side of your baby's crib, or prop one up in front of her during tummy-time sessions for even more reflective fun. She may be more willing to stay belly-down (or coo contentedly in her crib — on her back, of course) if she has her own fascinating face for company.

What's the point of looking in the looking glass? The mirror game helps your baby learn how to focus, track images, and explore the wonderful things a face can do. Plus, it promotes social and emotional development as she interacts with you (and maybe her sibs). Eventually, she'll learn that the friendly face she's been looking at all along is none other than her very own. Now that's a powerful lesson in who's who.

When you're done having fun with your baby's reflection, check out these other playtime must-haves.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the First Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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What to Expect The First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.